Jerusalem Vineyard Winery “Lions’ Gate” Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

This week the featured wine is the Lions’ Gate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Jerusalem Vineyard Winery. Aged in French Oak for 8 months, the wine is deep red in color and has an aroma rich in vanilla with just a hint of licorice. On the palate it is rich in the darker fruits; black berry, black cherry, and a bit of plum. This is a well balanced wine and presents as medium to full bodied. 

The Jerusalem Vineyard Winery is part of an agricultural co-op owned by the Guetta Family. Although the vineyards are located in the Judean Hills, the winery itself is located within Jerusalem. Interestingly, this makes it quite special. In the late 1800’s, when under Turkish control, wine production in the “Old City” was tolerated, but in 1925, when Palestine was controlled by the British Mandate, it was forbidden. Here we are almost 100 years later, and Jerusalem Vineyard Winery is the only one to return to the capital city.

The visitor center is located within the Montefiore Windmill. The windmill is located  outside the “Old City”, and was built in 1857 to provide a flour mill for Jews moving to the area. The funding for the windmill was provided by philanthropist Sir Moses Montifiore, and this move, of people outside the city walls, represented expansion and opportunity for modern development. 

The vineyards for this Cabernet Sauvignon are located in the mountains surrounding the city, “the Judean Hills”. With its Terra Rossa soil, year round cool nights, and high altitude, it is one of the premier locations in the country for growing quality grapes. 

The Montefiore Windmill, located in the neighborhood just outside the walls of the Old City, is on just about every travel agenda for those visiting Jerusalem. It includes a small museum highlighting the life of Sir Moses Montifiore and the Jerusalem Wineries Visitor Center. Unfortunately, with tourism numbers almost non-existent, they are hurting. 

Let’s do what we can to support our friends at Jerusalem Vineyard Winery and purchase their wine for this Shabbat. I picked up my bottle at Total Wines for less than $20.